Can you tell us about the outstanding achievements that the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Brazil has brought?

The diplomatic relation between Vietnam and Brazil has been developed over the last 30 years, starting in 1989, and was strengthened when Vietnam and Brazil became comprehensive partners in 2007. Brazil is one of Vietnam’s top partners in South America. The two countries have been supporting each other to boost socio-economic development in each country and working closely in international organizations and multilateral forums.

As the fifth-largest country in the world with a population of 200 million people, Brazil is a market with great potential for Vietnamese businesses. Because Brazil is a member of the BRICS (five major emerging economies, along with Russia, India, China, and South Africa) and MERCOSUR (the Southern Common Market, along with Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile), it is the gateway for Vietnam to infiltrate the Latin American market. Similarly, Vietnam is a gateway for Brazil to enter the Asian market, including ASEAN.

Ambassador of Vietnam to Brazil Pham Thi Kim Hoa. Photo: Vietnam Times

Bilateral trade between Vietnam and Brazil has been growing continuously, achieving US$ 4.6 billion in 2020 and US$ 3.25 billion in the first six months of 2021. I believe there will be more opportunities for cooperation for Vietnam and Brazil, especially as Vietnam and MERCOSUR members are looking to negotiate on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and MERCOSUR. Vietnam will also soon enter free trade agreements with Latin American countries.

What is more, based on comprehensive partnership, the cultural – education and tourism exchange between the two countries are enhanced and bringing the peoples of Vietnam and Brazil closer. When the Covid vaccine is rolled out throughout the world, I believe these cooperation activities will be expanded.

Ambassador Kim Hoa and Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro in June 2020. Photo: Vietnam Times

What should Vietnam and Brazil do to enhance this relation?

There is still immense potential for cooperation between both countries. I hope that the governments of Vietnam and Brazil can continue to create favorable conditions to enhance cooperation in other sectors such as investment, health, scientific and technological research, manufacturing and processing industries, clean energy and fuel, biotechnology, aviation, infrastructure and business cooperation.My main goal during my tenure is to maintain and enhance cooperation between the two countries in all aspects such as politics, economics and trade, defense, education and culture and tourism to bring forth Vietnam and Brazil’s potential effectively.

One of my greatest hopes is to promote to Brazil and other countries a beautiful Vietnam with rich culture and a long history that is developing dynamically and affirming its reputation across the globe. As the Ambassador of Vietnam, I will strive to contribute to tightening the unified, friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries for the well-being of the peoples of Vietnam and Brazil.